01Profile
A Tom A. Smith Photo
Tom A. Smith
Musician — Sunderland
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Tom A. Smith, a town called Houghton Le Spring, just outside of Sunderland and not too far from Durham.
Describe your style in three words?
Classic, confident, simple.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
By far the best gig I’ve been to was watching Jack White on the main stage at Glastonbury, he just has everything. Love his guitar playing.
If you could be on the line up with any two artists in history?
The Beatles are just ridiculous, I’d love to be on that rooftop performing just before they played 'Don’t Let Me Down' (what a track). It would also have to be David Bowie the ultimate genius in reinvention.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
I wouldn’t say I was influenced by any specific subculture I’ve just always loved good music. I genuinely believe I take a little bit of every classic style that has come my way.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Prince would be amazing to jam with for an hour, I wish I could have came up with someone more culturally significant but selfishly I just want to play guitar with the guy who wrote 'Purple Rain'. My favourite track is 'Sometimes It Snows in April' which I discovered from my guitar teacher Barry Hyde who covered it beautifully.
Of all the venues you’ve been to or played, which is your favourite?
I’ve just played Scala in Kings Cross and was really blown away. Brilliant size, brilliant layout and it helps that I went down well. Haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Martha Hill from the North East is just fantastic and a great spokesperson for other musicians and performers. She’s such a talent and has yet to be seen by the majority. Love her! The track 'Grilled Cheese' is a monster!
Tom A. Smith recently released his debut single 'Wolves'. Listen, purchase or stream it via ada.lnk.to/Wolves.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Red Right Hand' by Nick Cave - mainly because it was by order of the Peaky Blinders.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Kathleen' by Catfish and The Bottlemen. I’m still seventeen and teenage me started four years ago but I had that song in my head for all of my early teens.
One record you would keep forever?
'Led Zeppelin III' by led Zeppelin is perfect. I love 'Friends'.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
"I see my mother / The DWP see a number / She cries on the floor encumbered / I'm seventeen going under"
From 'Seventeen Going Under' by Sam Fender. Sam Fender is a spokesperson for a generation, inspired me to be socially conscious with some of my lyrics. Especially on my track 'Wolves'.
The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
I’m not a dancer really but I suppose something like 'Step On' by Happy Mondays would get me moving
A song you wished you had written?
'Half The World Away' by Oasis. Simple yet perfect.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Whole Lotta Love' by Led Zeppelin. An absolute monster of a song.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Good 4 U' by Olivia Rodrigo. An absolute banger.
Best song to end an all-nighter on?
'All My Friends' by LCD Soundsystem. It’s just wonderful, make sure it’s the seven-minute version as it builds perfectly.
Any new music you are listening to right now?
'The Walls Are Way Too Thin' by Holly Humberstone.
'Coming Of Age' by Blondes.
'The Mortgage Anthem' by CVC.
'I Do' by Luke Royalty.
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Tom A. Smith, a town called Houghton Le Spring, just outside of Sunderland and not too far from Durham.
Describe your style in three words?
Classic, confident, simple.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
By far the best gig I’ve been to was watching Jack White on the main stage at Glastonbury, he just has everything. Love his guitar playing.
If you could be on the line up with any two artists in history?
The Beatles are just ridiculous, I’d love to be on that rooftop performing just before they played 'Don’t Let Me Down' (what a track). It would also have to be David Bowie the ultimate genius in reinvention.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
I wouldn’t say I was influenced by any specific subculture I’ve just always loved good music. I genuinely believe I take a little bit of every classic style that has come my way.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Prince would be amazing to jam with for an hour, I wish I could have came up with someone more culturally significant but selfishly I just want to play guitar with the guy who wrote 'Purple Rain'. My favourite track is 'Sometimes It Snows in April' which I discovered from my guitar teacher Barry Hyde who covered it beautifully.
Of all the venues you’ve been to or played, which is your favourite?
I’ve just played Scala in Kings Cross and was really blown away. Brilliant size, brilliant layout and it helps that I went down well. Haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Martha Hill from the North East is just fantastic and a great spokesperson for other musicians and performers. She’s such a talent and has yet to be seen by the majority. Love her! The track 'Grilled Cheese' is a monster!
Tom A. Smith recently released his debut single 'Wolves'. Listen, purchase or stream it via ada.lnk.to/Wolves.
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Red Right Hand' by Nick Cave - mainly because it was by order of the Peaky Blinders.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Kathleen' by Catfish and The Bottlemen. I’m still seventeen and teenage me started four years ago but I had that song in my head for all of my early teens.
One record you would keep forever?
'Led Zeppelin III' by led Zeppelin is perfect. I love 'Friends'.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
"I see my mother / The DWP see a number / She cries on the floor encumbered / I'm seventeen going under"
From 'Seventeen Going Under' by Sam Fender. Sam Fender is a spokesperson for a generation, inspired me to be socially conscious with some of my lyrics. Especially on my track 'Wolves'.
The song that would get you straight on the dance floor?
I’m not a dancer really but I suppose something like 'Step On' by Happy Mondays would get me moving
A song you wished you had written?
'Half The World Away' by Oasis. Simple yet perfect.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Whole Lotta Love' by Led Zeppelin. An absolute monster of a song.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Good 4 U' by Olivia Rodrigo. An absolute banger.
Best song to end an all-nighter on?
'All My Friends' by LCD Soundsystem. It’s just wonderful, make sure it’s the seven-minute version as it builds perfectly.
Any new music you are listening to right now?
'The Walls Are Way Too Thin' by Holly Humberstone.
'Coming Of Age' by Blondes.
'The Mortgage Anthem' by CVC.
'I Do' by Luke Royalty.